Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes told reporters on Air Force One that the launch of a rocket by North Korea on Thursday is not an indication that the Obama administration's attempt to engage the country failed. "Absolutely not," Rhodes said.

Full pool report on Rhodes' remarks from POLITICO's Josh Gerstein after the jump:

Rhodes denied in response to the first question that this morning’s launch meant that Obama’s effort to engage the DPRK was a failure. “Absolutely not,” Rhodes said. He went on to say, in essence, that the Obama approach was tougher than the Bush administration’s because the Obama team had not yet provided any aid to N. Korea. Also, Rhodes suggested that the agreement that the U.S. reached in February with the DPRK to do provide food aid was tentative and conditional.

“What this administration has done has broken the cycle of rewarding provocative actions by the North Koreans that we’ve seen in the past. Under the previous administration, for instance, there was a substantial amount of assistance provided to North Korea. North Korea was removed from the terrorism list, even as they continued to engage in provocative actions. Under our administration we have not provided any assistance to North Korea,” Rhodes said.

“We had discussions with them about potentially an agreement where they would freeze their enrichment activities and take some other steps towards denuclearization and that we as a part of that might provide food assistance, but we also made clear that we could not go forward with that type of agreement if they could not keep their commitments. And their efforts to launch a missile clearly demonstrates that they could not be trusted to keep their commitments, therefore we’re not going forward with an agreement to provide them with any assistance,” Rhodes added.

Rhodes said he expected consultations to begin “today” at the UN Security Council about an international response to North Korea’s actions and possible “additional steps” if there are further provocative actions from the DPRK. Asked if the US expects a nuclear test now, Rhodes said the North Koreans have engaged in “patterns of provocative actions” in the past, including nuclear tests.

Asked why the US would back away from food aid to North Korean people because of their government’s actions, Rhodes argued that the lack of trust on security issues like missiles had implications for trust needed to carry out even more mundane programs like food aid. “The reason why is because we cannot trust the government to provide that assistance to the people who need it. It is the North Korean government who is holding its own people hostage,” Rhodes insisted. “It’s absolutely true that the North Korean people are the ones that have suffered.” He also slammed as a “propaganda show” the media tour related to the missile launch.

Iran talks
Rhodes tried to lower expectations for the nuclear talks getting underway in Istanbul, but also made clear that the U.S. is willing to meet any Iranian offers or concessions with commensurate actions from the U.S.“

Nobody expects to resolve all differences in one meeting….It’s a good first step” Rhodes said. He said the P5+1 group “is incredibly unified” on sanctions and the need for Iran to comply with its obligations re the nuclear program.

“What we’ll need to see is what the Iranians are prepared to do….The onus is on them to come in line with their international obligations. They’re the ones that are in violation of their international commitments,” Rhodes said.

“If they do [take steps to live up to their obligations], we would certainly explore reciprocal actions that are responsive to concrete steps by the Iranians,” Rhodes said. “We’ll be ready to reciprocate steps that they take, but again, we’ll want to see actions not just words.” Rhodes confirmed that Baghdad is a possible venue for future talks. He did not confirm a questioner’s suggestions such follow-on talks might begin in May.

Syria
Rhodes said the US sees “some progress” in reduction of violence as part of a cease fire plan. However, he said the Syrian regime still has not complied with all aspects of the Kofi Annan-brokered accord. Rhodes called on the Syrian regime to remove troops from cities and allow peaceable protests. “There’s far more that needs to be done,” he said.